Sweet Harvest Loaves

These sweet loaves were eaten by the farm labourers in England at harvestime in the fields as they reaped.

Ingredients
1lb self raising flour
pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4oz diced lard
4oz diced butter
1oz caster sugar
2oz currants
2 medium besten eggs
a little milk
a little sugar for dusting

Method
1 Place a sieve above a large mixing bowl.
2 Spoon in the flour, salt and nutmeg and shake through into the bowl.
3 Add the lard and butter.
4 Rub in the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
5 Add the caster sugar and the currants, mix through the mixture.
6 Make a well.
7 Tip in the eggs and mix in to make a smooth and soft dough.
8 If the mixture is dry, add a little milk.
9 Flour a work surface.
10 Tip the dough onto a board and knead slightly.
11 Cut the dough into quarters.
12 Form the quarters into a round shape (about the size of a saucer).
13 Place each loaf onto a pre greased and floured baking sheet, leaving space to spread.
14 Brush with a little milk.
15 Sprinkle over a little sugar.
16 Mark each loaf with a diamond pattern with a sharp knife.
17 Bake at 190 degrees centigrade/gas mark 5 for about 25 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown.

Serve hot or cold.

Makes 4 loaves